<!--
{
  "availability" : [

  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "QuickTime File Format",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Atom",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Atom",
    "modules" : [
      "QuickTime File Format"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "__docc_universal_symbol_reference_$Timecode_sample_data"
  },
  "title" : "Timecode sample data"
}
-->

# Timecode sample data

An atom that represents timecode sample data.

## Overview

A timecode media sample is recorded as a 32-bit integer, interpreted based on the value of the Counter flag in the timecode sample description.

If the Counter flag is set to `1` in the timecode sample description, the sample data is an unsigned 32-bit integer. The timecode counter value is determined by dividing this unsigned 32-bit integer by the number of frames field in the timecode sample description.

If the Counter flag is set to `0` in the timecode sample description, the sample data format is a signed 32-bit integer and is used to calculate a timecode record.

## Topics

### Data fields

[`Hours`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data/Hours)

An 8-bit unsigned integer that indicates the starting number of hours.

[`Negative`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data/Negative)

A 1-bit value indicating the time’s sign.

[`Minutes`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data/Minutes)

A 7-bit integer that contains the starting number of minutes.

[`Seconds`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data/Seconds)

An 8-bit unsigned integer indicating the starting number of seconds.

[`Frames`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Timecode_sample_data/Frames)

An 8-bit unsigned integer that specifies the starting number of frames.


---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)